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Hershey Completes Bulk Of CSR Goals, Sets New Targets

Hershey, PA — The Hershey Co. is setting new corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals, as the company has completed 60 percent of its long-term environmental sustainability targets.

The chocolate maker notes the remaining 40 percent of its goals are on track to be accomplished in the preset time frame, according to the company’s third CSR report.

Goals completed ahead of schedule include nearly doubling the company’s commitment to obtain 10 percent of its cocoa supply from sustainable sources, and reduce its use of water and achieve zero-waste-to-landfill at an additional five facilities.

John P. Bilbrey, president and CEO, says: “Our CSR strategies have evolved, and the updated framework we share in this report reflects how our company values guide the way we work, and how our CSR efforts have matured, become more focused and better aligned with our business.”

As a result of the quick completion of goals, Hershey has set new targets for 2017 using this year as its baseline. These goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an additional 10 percent, attaining zero-waste-to-landfill at two more plants, reaching a recycling rate of 90 percent, further reducing waste by five percent, lowering emissions by another 15 percent, reducing absolute water use an additional 17 percent and completing a minimum of 25 packaging sustainability initiatives, resulting in the elimination of 16 million pounds of packaging materials.